The choice of the exact word or phrase to use can make a big difference in the quality of your translation.

The formative years of my career were spent living and working in Paris, where I worked for a French public relations firm as a translator, proofreader and interpreter. Perhaps as important, in that same role I also provided translation and interpretation support services to our firm's clients, a fact which trained me to understand the importance of seeking out those subtle details that can make a significant difference in translation outcomes.

Because of this experience, I seek to put myself in the place of my clients and to ask:

- What is the intended audience for the translation? Is it a translation that is intended for lay customers, or is it for a firm's own staff members? Perhaps it is for government regulators?

- What is the history behind the subject to be translated that may affect the translation?

- Are there any current issues surrounding the subject to be translated that may affect the way a certain word or phrase is understood by the intended audience?

In asking these questions, I believe that I arrive at a better understanding of the client, and a translation that is especially suited to the client's needs.